amnesty
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amnesty
A pardon or reduction of punishment ordered by the state for a specific group of people who have committed a certain type of offense. This often happens for political reasons.
Die neue Regierung erließ eine Amnestie für alle politischen Gefangenen.
The new government granted amnesty to all political prisoners.
'Amnestie' (amnesty) is a technical term from the legal and political sphere. You find it almost exclusively in news reports, laws, or historical texts.
Das Parlament debattiert über eine mögliche Amnestie.
Parliament is debating a possible amnesty.
Certain verbs are used in connection with 'Amnestie' (amnesty). A government can 'eine Amnestie erlassen' (issue an amnesty) or 'eine Amnestie gewähren' (grant an amnesty). A person can 'unter eine Amnestie fallen' (fall under an amnesty).
Der Präsident hat eine Amnestie für Steuerhinterzieher erlassen.
The president issued an amnesty for tax evaders.
To name the group to whom the pardon applies, the preposition 'für' (for) is used with the accusative.
Es gab eine Amnestie für alle Deserteure des vergangenen Krieges.
There was an amnesty for all deserters of the previous war.
decree / waiver
'der Erlass' and 'die Amnestie' can both mean that a punishment no longer has to be paid or served, or only partly so. However, 'Erlass' is much more general. It can refer to debts, payments, or punishments, and can also affect individual people. 'Amnestie' is more specific: the state waives or reduces punishments for a particular group of people, often for political reasons. The words can be confused because an amnesty also involves a kind of remission of punishment. But not every 'Erlass' is an 'Amnestie'.
Nach dem Regierungswechsel wurden mehrere Gefangene durch eine Amnestie freigelassen.
After the change of government, several prisoners were released under an amnesty.
Wegen seiner schwierigen Lage beantragte Paul den Erlass der Geldstrafe.
Because of his difficult situation, Paul applied for remission of the fine.